Trade tension, differences over oil imports — but Donald Trump keeps dialing PM Modi: White House says trade team in 'serious discussions'

The White House on Tuesday said US President Donald Trump remains committed to strengthening ties with India and is in frequent contact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even as differences continue over trade tariffs and oil imports from Russia.

WHite House also called the India-US partnership one that the President values “very strongly,”




At a press briefing on Tuesday (local time), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "The President is positive and feels very strongly about the India-US relationship. A few weeks ago, he spoke to the Prime Minister directly when he celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office with many high-ranking Indian-American officials here at the White House."



Leavitt added that the US has "a great Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor," and confirmed that Trump’s trade team is in “very serious discussions” with New Delhi. “I know the President has great respect for Prime Minister Modi and they speak pretty frequently,” she said.

Her remarks come days after Trump claimed India had reduced its purchase of Russian oil, describing New Delhi as “very good” on the issue during his five-day Asia tour. Since mid-October, Trump has repeatedly said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would limit or stop crude imports from Moscow.

Trump’s statements are linked to his administration’s efforts to isolate Russia economically through sanctions and energy restrictions amid the war in Ukraine.

However, earlier this month, ministry of external affairs (MEA) responded to Trump’s comments, saying that the country’s energy sourcing decisions are driven by national interests and consumer welfare.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.”

He added that India’s energy policy aims to ensure stable prices and secure supplies through diversified sourcing. “Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” Jaiswal said.

Ties between India and the US have come under strain after Washington imposed high trade tariffs on New Delhi in August. The US levied 50 per cent tariffs, including 25 per cent secondary duties, as a response to India’s continued oil trade with Russia.

India criticised the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” while Trump described US-India trade ties as a “totally one-sided disaster.”